The Works of Epictetus: Discourses, Enchiridion, and Fragments

What will tell, then?

That faculty which contemplates both itself and all other things.

And what is that?

The Reasoning Faculty; for that alone is found able to place an estimate upon itself—what it is, what its powers are, what its value is, and likewise all the rest. For what is it else that says, "Gold is beautiful"? Since the gold itself does not speak. Evidently, that faculty which judges of the appearances of things.original: "φαντασίαι" - A term used by the Stoics referring to the mental impressions or perceptions we have of external objects. What else distinguishes music, grammar, and the other faculties, proves their uses, and shows their proper occasions?

Nothing but this.

As was fitting, then, the gods have placed in our own power this most excellent and superior faculty: the right use of the appearances of things. But all other matters they have not placed in our power. What, was it because they would not? I rather think that, if they could, they would have granted us these too; but they certainly could not. For, placed upon earth and confined to such a body and to such companions, how was it possible that, in these respects, we should not be hindered by things outside of us?

The word (φαντασίαι), here translated "the appearances of things," will sometimes be found rendered in other passages as "the phenomena of existence" or "things as they appear." It was a favorite word with the Stoics and can be adequately translated by no single English word or even phrase—implying, as it does, not merely the uncertainty of all impressions but the unimportance of the emotions they involve. Fortunately for translators, Epictetus cared very little for metaphysical subtleties and very much for his few and simple ethical principles; so that it is rarely difficult to make his meaning clear. — H.